All of us have a similar common goal….to be empowered and have control over our professional destiny. To have true empowerment, you must take responsibility for who you are, what you do, and what course you chart for yourself. It would be nice to have someone do it all for you. I would have loved to have someone give me a road map to plotting my professional life. But alas, it doesn’t work that way in the real world. At best, you can surround yourself with mentors and associates who will guide you along your journey. But in the end, it’s up to you to make the decisions and changes that need to be made to reach empowerment.
Here are a few steps you can take to True Empowerment:
1. Let go of past baggage. We have a tendency of holding on to what does us no good. Remembering a fight, worrying about bills, being upset about how someone else lives their life, holding a grudge because someone else took credit for a project we worked hard on. All of this is negative energy that takes up space in your world of positivity. In order for positive blessings to come your way, you must get rid of the old negative feelings and thoughts. Let go and let them fuel you to push even harder to achieve your goals. Come to new situations with a free and clear mind and heart. Baggage keeps you from bringing your “A” game and from experiencing true success.
2. Get educated. Now I don’t just mean go to school. Education comes in many forms. Yes, a college education is a good foundation, but continuing to learn well after you’ve earned your degree comes back to you ten-fold. You can take continuing education courses. Find topics that interest you and can help boost your career. You’ll even get credit units for taking them. Attend seminars, workshops and conferences. Some organizations give you continuing education credits by simply attending. Take advantage of events to leverage new relationships and show off what you know (and what you learn). Read a book or three. Trade journals, magazines, newspapers, online content and of course books help to continue the flow of knowledge. Create a binder of important articles that are beneficial to your career or industry. The internet is right at your fingertips. Do your research and reading.
3. Find mentors. Notice I didn’t say find “A” mentor. Mentors are all around you. They don’t have to be a specific age, gender, position title or even in the same industry. Study people whom you admire. What makes them tick? What paths have they blazed in their industries? Reach out to them and ask if they would be open to being your mentor. Don’t limit yourself to just one. There’s a lot to be learned out there. Don’t be afraid to reach out and connect with people. More often than not, they are willing to share their knowledge. But be careful not to monopolize their time, and definitely make it a value added relationship for both of you. I’m sure there is a way you can give back to your mentors.
4. Polish your image. You’ve got to look the part. There was an article I read about dressing like a CEO. I believe that no matter what level you are in your career, you absolutely must dress to impress. Don’t go out to buy the Georgio Armani suit so quickly. Buy classic tailored pieces that are timeless. Have a couple of good staples in your wardrobe that you can mix and match with the Target wear. Be sure to bring your own flair to your image. But follow the tone set by those who are where you want to be. Even law firms are slightly relaxing their corporate attire…but not too much. Everything from your hairstyle to your accessories say something about you. Are you portraying the appropriate image? Invest in some classic shoes, handbags, jewelry and scarves. Depending on what field you are in, a stunning briefcase can add value to your look. And most importantly, buy a dress coat that is professional and classic. You must always be cognizant of your outward appearance. Confidence attracts confidence (and opportunity).
5. Build a solid network and use it. There are so many people who tell me “I can’t network. I don’t know what to say to people.” Well I usually tell them to get over it. You cannot succeed in the business world without interacting with people. You don’t necessarily have to become best friends forever. But you must have the ability to strike up conversations and the timing skills to know when to strike or move on. As much as I hate to admit it, there is still an unspoken truth that it’s all in who you know, not what you know. Learn how to network online, but don’t let that be your end all be all. Use it as a starting point to building relationships. The internet is a wonderful thing and I am grateful that I have it to make my job a little easier. But it can make you lazy. You must cultivate your business relationships that you form online. Let’s say you meet someone on Linked In or Viadeo, or any other online professional networking tool. Immediately suggest a phone conversation. Take the time to introduce yourself and let the person know how you see them networking with you. And then continue the dialog. You don’t have to speak every week, or every month for that matter. But you do want them to keep you in the forefront of their minds. Don’t approach your relationships with a “set it and forget it” mentality. It takes real work.
True empowerment is there within your reach. Whether you are a college student, entrepreneur, or corporate riser, these principles will work for you. Education + Action = TRUE EMPOWERMENT(tm).
Til next time.
Adrienne Graham
Empower Me! The Empowered Black Women's Network 